The case of a Red Deer school bus driver who is facing impaired and dangerous driving charges was in court on Wednesday.

Shelly Joy Kolodychuk, 42, of Red Deer has been charged with impaired operation of motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle over 80mg, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and failing to remain at the scene of a collision.

She was allegedly operating the school bus on June 5th, which was carrying 18 children from École Barrie Wilson School, when it collided with a tree and a street sign, then allegedly continued to drive a short distance through Vanier Woods before stopping.

A witness who observed the collision called 9-1-1.

RCMP attended the scene of the collision on Valley Green along with Red Deer Emergency Services and fire staff.

EMS staff assessed the driver and the children who were on the bus and determined that no one had been injured in the collision. The school bus contained elementary school aged children between the ages of five and 12-years-old.

Kolodychuk’s next court date has been set for Aug. 22nd in Red Deer.

– Fawcett